Italy

• Emilia-Romagna

  This northern region of Italy, easily accessible from Milan, Venice, and Florence, is arguably that country’s gastronomic capital. Why? Many of Italy’s finest, most famous, centuries-old foodstuffs hail from these fertile flat plains, from egg pastas like tagliatelle and tortellini to balsamic vinegar and that king of cheeses, Parmigiano-Reggiano. Sure, its elegant Renaissance cities—Modena, Ferrara, Parma—are on the quiet side, and its lively, history-rich capital, Bologna, lacks the big bells and whistles of certain other Italian cities, but the comparatively subdued, under-the-radar vibe translates to fewer tourists, extra-welcoming locals, and a glimpse of regular old low-key life in Italy. But it’s the cuisine—with its deep and obvious respect for the region’s culinary roots, and unapologetic affinity for decadence via butter, meat, cheese, and the like—that really makes Emilia-Romagna a must for any Italian food fan.

  In this section, we outline some of the most typical foods from Emilia-Romagna, though keep in mind this is just the tip of the iceberg. We hope to return to the region molto presto in order to more closely explore the different contributions of each of its towns and highlight additional regional dishes.

  This northern region of Italy, easily accessible from Milan, Venice, and Florence, is arguably that country’s gastronomic capital. Why? Many of Italy’s finest, most famous, centuries-old foodstuffs hail from these fertile flat plains, from egg pastas like tagliatelle and tortellini to balsamic vinegar and that king of cheeses, Parmigiano-Reggiano. Sure, its elegant Renaissance cities—Modena,…   Read more

   

  Find local foods in Emilia-Romagna.

  Aceto balsamico

  Gramigna con salsiccia

  Lambrusco, local wine

  Maccheroni al pettine

  Mortadella

• User Content

Below is user-submitted content for this region. Have something to contribute? Upload your regional-food photo or food memory.

• 

  Truffle crostini, Italian meat, cheese plate, Aperol spritz

  Alfedena
  cajunheart
• 

  Tortelli mugellani

  Borgo San Lorenzo
  uniquecorners
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  Pane ca’ Meusa

  Palermo
  maxnemery
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  Gelato

  Riomaggiore
  streetfoodexplorelog

• • A Most Unusual Dinner in Chioggia

    labruttafigura
    Calle ponte caneva, 915, Chioggia
    

    The dining experience at Jackie Tonight is somewhere between dreams and inebriation. The interior of Jackie’s house is a warren of dark rooms made yet more befuddling by the smoke from o…    Read more

  • Take me back to Alfedena

    cajunheart
    Alfedena, Italy
    Tucked inside Alfedena’s central park, Il Chiosco is a small, family-run ristorante whose six sides are lined with windows. In the summer, leafy trees shade the local eatery, but now naked trunks…    Read more

• Blog Posts

• Recipes from Afar: How to Make Limoncello

  An easy recipe for limoncello, your new favorite DIY tipple. All photos courtesy of Stephanie Andrews Limoncello: It’s a tummy tamer, an after-dinner delight. Italy’s liquid courage. Behold the power of lemons and their ability…   Read more

• Recipes From Afar: Gnocchi alla Romana

  Gnocchi alla Romana with slow-cooker beef shank We had planned a relaxing day at the beach. Well, as relaxing as one might get with a 1- and 3-year-old. My husband was home from work that day, so I figured it’d be a good night to cook…   Read more

• 5 Must-Eat Dishes in Venice

  Photo courtesy of Tony Hammond/Flickr As a visitor to Venice, you may think the foods to try are the Italian classics: Pasta and pizza are, after all, the foods we associate with this beautiful country. Enjoy those all you want, but of course…   Read more

• Home Food Italy: Home-Cooked Regional Food for Travelers

  The best way to discover the secrets of regional cuisine is in a local’s home, where it’s not always accessible to the average traveler. In Italy, however, there’s a shortcut to the dinner table, as freelance writer Jessica…   Read more